Appellate Practice

Landmark Cases:

• McIntyre v. Ballentine, 833 S.W. 2d 52 (Tenn. 1992).   Adoption of comparative fault.
• Martin v. Norfolk S. Ry. Co., 271 S.W. 3d 76 (Tenn. 2008).   Clarifying summary judgment jurisprudence.
• Jordan v. Baptist Three Rivers Hosp., 984 S.W. 2d 593 (Tenn. 1999).  Allowing loss of consortium damages in wrongful death case.
• Colin v. City of Savannah, 966 S.W. 2d 34 (Tenn. 1998).  Abolishing open and obvious rule.
• TWB Architects, Inc. v. The Braxton, LLC, NO. M2017–00423–COA–R3–CV2018 WL 638251 (Tenn. Ct. App. Jan. 31, 2018). Obtaining nearly $1 million recovery for architect in dispute with developer.

Representative Cases:

• Hammet v. Wells Fargo Bank , No. M2018-00352-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Oct. 2, 2018).
• Starlink Logistics, Inc. v. ACC, LLC, No. M2014-00362-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Jan. 31, 2018).
• United States v. Lanier, 870 F.3d 546, 547 (6th Cir. 2017). Successfully vacated criminal conviction for lack of Remmer hearing.
• Moneypeny v. Kheiv, No. W2014–00656–COA–R3–CV, 2015 WL 1541333 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 1, 2015). Trial & appellate counsel obtaining $1.3 million verdict for injured driver in car collision.
• Russell v. Illinois Central Ry. Co.,No. W2013–02453–COA–R3–CV, 2015 WL 4039982 (Tenn. Ct. App. June 30, 2015), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Nov. 25, 2015). Upheld over $3 million verdict for wrongful death of coworker.
• In re Estate of Smallman, 398 S.W.3d 134 (Tenn. 2013). Secured new trial regarding widow’s right to pursue benefits of husband’s estate.
• Mayfield v. Mayfield, 395 S.W.3d 108, 110 (Tenn. 2012). Reversing award of alimony to at-fault spouse.
• Morrison v. Allen, 338 S.W.3d (Tenn. 2011). Securing $1.2 million judgment in life insurance action.
• Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Fenelon, 76 Fed.Appx. 581 (6th Cir. July 30, 2003). Trial and appellate counsel for breach of contract case affirming verdict of $3 million.
• Westmoreland v. Bacon, M2011-01811-COA-RMCV (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 26, 2013). Successful Supreme Court Application for Permission to Appeal resulting in remand and preservation of medical malpractice claim.
• Robles v. Vanderbilt Univ. Med. Ctr., M2010-01771-COA-R3CV, 2011 WL 1532069 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 19, 2011). Preserving client’s right to pursue medical malpractice claim
• Downs ex. rel Downs v.Bush,263 S.W.3d 812 (Tenn. 2008). Reversing lower court grant of summary judgment in wrongful death claim and reinstating case for jury trial.
• Phoenix Ins. Co. v. Estate of Ganier, 212 S.W.3d 270 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006). Reinstating $1.3 million subrogation action, reversing trial court for second time on appeal.
• Rusnak v. Phebus, M2007-01592-COA-R9-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008). Reversing trial court and holding in case of first impression that pending partition action between joint tenants with right of survivorship is extinguished upon death of joint tenant.
• Knight v. Metro. Gov’t of Nashville & Davidson Cnty., Tenn., 136 F. App’x 755, 757 (6th Cir. 2005). Affirming $200,000 jury verdict for plaintiff in discrimination case.
• State v. Magness, 165 S.W.3d 300, 301 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2004). Substantially reducing defendant’s sentence on appeal.
• Luna v. Sherwood, 208 S.W.3d 403, 404 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006). Preserving right to pursue medical malpractice claim in Davidson County, Tennessee and preventing adoption of intrastate forum non conveniens doctrine.